By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
AFL-CIO Community Services annual shoe distribution program is happening next month, but currently it is need of donations.
The Soles 4 Christ shoe distribution program is happening August 12th and 13th at the Scottish Rites in St. Joseph, however the need for shoes currently is critical.
Executive Director Nichi Seckinger says currently there is a need for almost every size of tennis shoe for this year's distribution.
"COVID kind of threw everything into flux, and we didn't get very many donations those few years following that, " Seckinger tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "But the participation in the program has started to increase again, as far as the kids are concerned, but donations haven't caught back up to participation numbers."
Seckinger says while there is a need for all sizes of tennis shoes currently, there are certain sizes that are snatched up faster than others.
"Youth size one, really all the way up through adult size 12, we cover that gambit and use those a lot," Seckinger explains. "We tend to run out of both boys and girls between size two and size five."
Seckinger says they also often run out of adult sizes eight through twelve shoes.
During last year's program the agency provided shoes to nearly 11 hundred kids (1,062).
Seckinger says that's an increase from the previous year by about 60 to 70 kids.
"So, we are expecting this year to be in the 1,100 range for sure and we are seeing a lot more inquiries about the program right now, people calling to get the dates and asking about when the events going to be held," Seckinger says. "So, we're really anticipating more people participating this year than we even saw last year."
New tennis shoes can be donated at the AFL-CIO Community Services offices. Toddler size five through ten, youth sizes 11 to six, and all adult sizes are recommended.
Seckinger says there is also a call out for volunteers to help with the distribution on August 12th and 13th. Find out more by contacting AFL-CIO Community Services.